Lifting device



1952 E. E. GUSTAFSON 2,584,124

LIFTING DEVICE Filed June 11, 1946 ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 5, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,584,124 L IFTlNG DEVICE Edwin E. Gustafson, Vallejo, Calif.

Application June 11, 1946, Serial No. 676,052 Claims. (01. 294-43) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) This invention relates to lifting devices and more particularly to a device for lifting cable reels and the like.

Prior methods of lifting and transporting cable reels required a crew of five men and the use of a rope sling to go around a reel, and to be lashed in several directions. This procedure required considerable time from all these men in order to produce a safe lifting arrangement.

Objects of the present invention are to provide a lifting device for cable reels and the like which is operable by a small crew of men, is strong and safe to use, eliminates the needfor complicated rope slings and will be easy and inexpensive to manufacture and use.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing,

wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a device embodying the features of the present invention in position for lifting.

Fig. 2 is a reduced elevational View of the device, shown in dotted lines ready for insertion into a reel and in full lines in lifting position within the reel.

Referring more particularly to the drawing:

Numeral I indicates generally an inverted Y- shaped member or body, formed of metal, having a short shank portion 2 and an elongated yoke or fork portion 3 which may be formed integral with the shank portion. An opening 4 is provided adjacent the upper or free end of the shank 2 for engagement with a hoisting element, such as a rope strand or cable 5 depending from a crane (not shown). Through the legs 6 of the yoke 3 extends a pin or bolt 1 which serves to pivotally mount a link or arm 8. Although the arrangement illustrated shows the body I bifurcated to form legs 6 and the arm 8 formed of a single piece of bar stock, it is apparent that under certain circumstances strength consideration may require that the arm 8 be bifurcated while the body I may adequately 'be made of a single piece of stock. The center of gravity of the link 8 is displaced from the axis of the pivot pin 1 toward one end thereof, conveniently by the addition of a weight 9 adjacent one end of the link. This causes the link or arm 8 to assume the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 with the weighted end directed downward and the arm 8 substantially in longitudinal alignment with the body I.

In Fig. 2, the device is shown in connection with a cable reel I0, having a hollow drum II with retaining flanges I2 and I3. Conventional axial openings I4and I5 are provided in the flanges I2 and I3, respectively, to admit. a rod or pipe of a standard (not shown) used for mounting the reel when winding or unwinding cable. The length of the link or arm 8 is so chosen and its pivot point is so placed that the arm will positively engage the underside or inner surface I 6 of the flange I 2 immediately surrounding the opening I 4. For example, if the arm 8 is pivotally supported at the midpoint of its length, its length would then have to be substantially greater than the diameter of the opening I4.

- Operation To use the device, the crane or hoist from which it depends is moved until the body I is suspended directly over the opening I4, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The substantial displacement of the center of gravity of the link or arm 8 from its pivot axis causes the arm to hang in alignment with the body I. With the parts in this position, the cable 8 is lowered through the opening I4 until the link 8 is entirely within the drum II. The cable 5 is then given a twist about its longitudinal axis causing the body I and link 8 to spin. The slightest accidental initial eccentricity (which will invariably exist) of the center of gravity of the link 8 from the spin axis will cause the centrifugal force acting through the center of gravity of the link 8 adjacent the weight 9 to pivot the link into a position in which it is substantially transverse to the body I. At this time, the cable 5 is given a sudden jerk upward and the arm 8 assumes a position (Fig. 2 solid lines) approximately at right angles to the body I with both its segments on either side of pin 1 engaging the underside I6 of the flange I2. When the reel constitutes a symmetrically balanced load, the two areas I6 are preferably diametrically opposite relative to the opening I4 but at other times the areas I6 may lie at opposite ends of a chord. The reel II) can now be readily lifted and transported by simply hoisting the cable 5. When thereel is in its final position, the tension on the cable 5 is released and the arm 8, under the action of gravity, again assumes a position in alignment with the body I so that the device can readily be lifted out through the opening I 4.

It is apparent that the lifting device is applicable not only to cable reels butto any article having a substantially vertically extending opening corresponding to the opening I4, which opening may be not only circularbut of any desired shape. Also, the link 8 need not have a separate weight 9 fixed thereto, but could be pivoted longitudinally off-center or could be formed of varythe spirit of the invention. I do not wish, therefore, to be limited by the disclosures set forth, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royaltiesthereon or therefor.

Iclaim:

l. A device for lifting an article having a substantially vertically extending opening through a portion thereof comprising a body, means on said body adapted for engagement with a hoisting element, and a link pivoted to said body about a normally horizontal axis; the center bf gravity of said. link being substantially displaced from said axis toward one end thereof to cause; said link normally to hang insubstantial alignment with said body, said link and body being ofsuch. size as to easily pass, when in alignment with each other, through said opening, the'mass of said body being substantially at least as great as the mass of said link; and said 11m; being so proportione'd as to length and location of pivot point as to be capable of engaging, from beneath, -opposite areas of'said portionof said article forming said opening when said link extends substantially at right angles to said body.

2. A lifting device comprisinga body, means on-said body adapted for engagement with a hoisting element, an arm pivoted approximatelyat its'midpoint to said body about a normally horizontal axis and a weight fixed to said arm adjacent one end thereof, the mass of said body being substantially at least as great as the mass of said arm. V

3. A lifting device comprising a body havin a shank portion and a yoke portion, means on said shank portion adapted for engagement with a lifting element, an arm pivoted adjacent its midpoint within said yoke portion about a normally horizontal axis, a weight fixed to said arm adjacent one end thereof to substantially dis? .about a normally horizontal axis having its center of gravity substantially displaced from said axis, themass of said body being substantially at least as great as the mass of said arm.

5. A method of preparing for hoistin by association. of a hoisting element therewith, an article having a substantially vertically extending opening: througha portion thereof comprising the steps of. (l) attaching to said hoisting element a. body having pivoted to it about a normally horizontal axisa link whose center of gravity is substantially displaced from said axis toward one end ofsaid link to cause said link normally to hang in substantial. alignment with said body, said link. and said: body being. of such size as easily to pass, when in alignment with each other, through said opening, and the mass of said body-being substantially at least as great as that of said: link, (2-) lowering said hoisting element until said aligned body ar 1c l .linkv arein such a position that said link is entirely below that portion of said article forming said opening, (3) r0- tating said body about a: substantially vertical axisv suffic'iently rapidly to cause said link to swing substantially out of alignment with said body, and (4) while said .linkis displaced from alignment, raising said body so that said link engages, from beneath, opposite areas of said portion of pivot point as to be capable of spanning said opening when said link extends substantially at right angles to said body.

EDWIN E. GUSTAFSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

